Ocean Wise names two B.C. kelp species as sustainable seafood options

[Canada] Two wild B.C. kelp species have been recommended by the Ocean Wise program as sustainable seafood options.

On Tuesday, Ocean Wise put its sought-after stamp of approval on two species of seaweed: giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) and bull kelp (Nereocystis leutkeana), both of which are farmed along the B.C. coast.

“This assessment is a first for the Ocean Wise Seafood program, and we continue to expand our scope to include less conventional, but in-demand, seafood items and now marine plants,” said Ann-Marie Copping, Ocean Wise Seafood program manager, in a news release. “These two species of kelp can be found in everything from sushi to brownies, and we’re likely to see more of it as production continues to rise at our local fisheries.”

“This report is just the latest in our ongoing efforts to create awareness about smaller fisheries from coast to coast to coast. We want to connect our partner suppliers, retailers and restaurants with this information so Canadian consumers can continue to look for dynamic seafood items with the Ocean Wise symbol.”

Giant kelp. The Ocean Wise Seafood program has released an assessment recommending two wild B.C. kelp species as sustainable seafood options. HANDOUT / OCEAN WISE

The assessment of wild B.C. kelp was conducted by Ocean Wise Seafood analyst Alasdair Lindop, who spent months researching provincial fisheries. Ocean Wise explained how Lindop came to his conclusions in the release.

“To make a recommendation for wild capture assessments, the program uses four criteria: impacts of the fishery on the stock in question, impacts of the fishery on other species, effectiveness of management, and impacts on habitat and ecosystem.”

Kelp is already a staple in Japanese cooking, but the seaweed’s popularity is beginning to spread, especially as its health benefits — which include vitamins, minerals like iodine, and enzymes — become more widely-known.

Kelp production among B.C. fisheries increased 43 per cent from 2014 to 2016, from 281 metric tons to 400 metric tons, according to Ocean Wise.

Photo: Bull kelp. The Ocean Wise Seafood program has released an assessment recommending two wild B.C. kelp species as sustainable seafood options. HANDOUT / OCEAN WISE